"Day", by Michael Cunningham

I went to a Bookshop at the beginning of the year where one can buy discounted books. I always feel sad for the books in a way and wonder why they are so cheap. 3 for GBP10. Basically giving them away. One of them was "Day" by Michael Cunningham. These type of books always make me curious and my hopes are not high but optimistic. So here is my review of "Day" It´s starting early in the morning. An average Family in Brooklyn, New York. Dreams, Hopes, Jobs and Kids. The brother of Isabel, Robbie, is living in the attic of their home, as he can´t and don´t want to move away from them. He is a teacher and not on a high income. Isabel and and her Husband Dan have 2 Kids, one son in puberty and a little girl, both sharing a room due to space issues. Robbie is aware that he is taking up the space and keeps suggesting to buy a house with the family somewhere further away, a dream Isabel always had, but never feels right to fulfil, but is also searching for a place on his own which will be further away, than either of them wants. This book is about family life. About Isabel having her dreams and moments where everything is getting overwhelming. About her Husband Dan, who used to be famous with his band, but is now looking after their kids and Robbie, who loves Dan and of course the kids and knows he needs to move out. Isabel and Robbie have an Instagram account running with the main character "Wolfe" who is completely fictional. Nice side line there. This story is about One Day in the family life, split over 3 different years, but yet still only one day.

Lovely book: Day, by Michael Cunningham

It´s very easy to read and very easy to sink into the characters, one can imagine everything very well and identify with either of them. The second half of the day is at the beginning of Covid one year on. Bad timing for Robbie, as he had just started his Travels and is now stuck out in Iceland. The communication is not well, due to isolation and lack of mobile reception. Isabel worries about Robbie and is spending a lot of time away from the family outside on their veranda. Isabel and Dan realise their Relationship is on a brink and as many other people probably experienced as well, especially during Covid and isolation, their days are counted. They try to keep things together for the kids. The last third is an evening after the worst part of the pandemic and lockdowns. It´s in a nice setting in a house in the woods, Isabel finally bought and started her dream life. It basically all comes together nicely. It´s greatly written and described and the end I even had some tears coming up. Love, Friendship, Family. We all have our own story and especially around and after Covid. It´s a great idea of writing a book and I enjoyed it. Given I wasn´t very optimistic and didn´t quite know what to expect, I have to say it´s most certainly worth reading!